From Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3: little change for older people

Drawing of two identical women in little houses, reading a book. One is Alert Level 4, one Level 3.

In New Zealand, people over 70 will still be in lockdown at Alert Level 3

We people over 70 will still be protected from the coronavirus at Alert Level 3. There are at least two reasons for keeping us off the streets. One, we’re more susceptible to a bad dose of COVID-19 and more likely to die. Two, a large proportion of us are not employed. I accept this, of course, but it’s still strange to experience this protective concern after a lifetime of apparent self-sufficiency. Stay strong, stay well.

 

11 thoughts on “From Alert Level 4 to Alert Level 3: little change for older people

  1. srbottch says:

    Rachel, I understand perfectly. Neighbors do our shopping so we can stay away from other people in stores and it’s so odd to depend on others after, as you say, a lifetime of self sufficiency. On the other hand, it’s kind of nice to be catered😉. Stay well!(Steve)

    1. Rachel McAlpine says:

      Yes, there’s certainly an upside. And it’s good practice for when, one day, we become less independent through old age.

  2. It is rather unsettling to be automatically lumped with the sickest in our age group.

    1. Rachel McAlpine says:

      It’s humbling, and therefore character building. I need that!

  3. Sylvie Ge says:

    My son, partner and daughter will also see no change in alert 3, all of them working and studying from home.

  4. cedar51 says:

    I’m in that level as well, but not because I’m over 70 (I’m a year below) BUT because of my underlying health issues…there quite a few people who aren’t able to be out about at all…I know a number of people in their 50s.

    1. Rachel McAlpine says:

      I meant the Alert level that applies to the whole country…

  5. Sadje says:

    Stay safe Rachel

  6. Elizabeth says:

    That is a sound system to have a stepped series of alerts. Here no such sanity reigns. It apparently depends on which political persuasion you follow whether you lift restrictions willy-nilly in your state.

    1. Rachel McAlpine says:

      It looks like chaos from here.

      1. Elizabeth says:

        It is. Horrifying how ignorant many people are. Fortunately sanity reigns in this part of the country. We have been devastated by the virus and are far from cavalier about easing restrictions.

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